WGD: Game 59: RED WINGS vs. PREDATORS

The first game of the post-Mrazek era for the Red Wings and it comes up against the Nashville Predators.

After a teeth-grinding, nail-biting last minute loss to the Leafs on the weekend we’re treated to watching yet another surging successful franchise as our precious Red Wings continue to simmer in this mediocre soup.

The Red Wings are 5-4-1 in their last ten and the Preds are 6-2-2. These records are way too even to be reflective of how these teams are performing. As Nashville fights to stay on top of the Central division, the Wings are fighting the impossible fight to make the playoffs – every Wings fan just wants the tank and rightfully should.

That top-6 is one of the most dangerous in all of hockey right now and if I were any Wings defenceman, I would be terrified. Forsberg, Johansen and Arvidsson have combined to make some terrific plays this year and are damn productive as well.

Among lines that have played minimum 200 minutes together, the Johansen line is 4th in CF% with 58.72. That is pure dominance when they are on the ice.

The Preds blueline has been talked about relentlessly for years and years. Even before they acquired Subban, Nashville has the reputation of having all-star defenceman for the past decade.

It’s just unfair.

Between The Pipes

Jimmy Howard vs. Pekka Rinne

This matchup would have been one to watch about 5 years ago. One has kept his play, while the other has not.

Rinne does have one of the best defensive units in front of him, meanwhile Howard is playing with some arguably just-ok defenceman.

Pekka’s .926 sv% has been an impressive bounceback from a couple years ago where it seemed like the Preds wanted to move on from the Finnish goaler.

Meanwhile, Howard is performing at just a .910 sv% level and is nowhere near a suspected bounceback season.

Jimmy will need to stand on his head to make this game a close one.

How To Watch

Tune into Fox Sports Detroit at 7:00 p.m. to see all the action from LCA.

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